Calipari Going Big

Calipari Going Big

John Calipari said following Kentucky's win over Eastern Michigan Wednesday that he likes the big team, which is starting a front line of Nerlens Noel, Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress.

John Calipari said following Kentucky's win over Eastern Michigan Wednesday that he likes the big team, which is starting a front line of Nerlens Noel, Willie Cauley-Stein and Alex Poythress.

LEXINGTON, Ky. - John Calipari has figured out how his team must play - with his two 7-footers, Nerlens Noel and Willie Cauley-Stein, along with 6-foot-8 Alex Poythress in the starting five.

Calipari started Ryan Harrow at point and Archie Goodwin at the two with Kyle Wiltjer and Julius Mays coming off the bench.

"It's so obvious what we have to do. I like the big team. I looked at it, and that's what we've been practicing the last couple of days," Calipari said following Kentucky's 90-38 win over Eastern Michigan.

The Cats outrebounded EMU 52-27, led points in the paint 40-16 and held a 15-4 advantage in second-chance points.

"Anytime you have two 7-footers on the floor and a 6-8 guy, I knew they would create second chance opportunities for themselves. I knew they wouldn't shoot as many threes because they didn't have three guards on the floor. So that alone, that size advantage in the paint, was going to give us trouble. Then we have to guard the lob, and then we have to get out and guard the three," Eastern Michigan coach Rob Murphy said.